Knob attachment



(No Model.)

C. P. DOEBLER. KNOB ATTACHMENT.

Patented Aug. 4, 1896.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEicE.

CHARLES F. DOEBLER, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICU".

KNOB ATTACHMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 565,108, dated August 4, 1896.

Application filed February 12, 1896. Serial No. 578,981. (No model.)

To fail whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. DO EBLEE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knob Attachments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to knob attachments of that class in which the knobs are operatively connected with the latch-actuating hub by couplings or clutch devices, and which knob attachments are commonly known as screwless knob attachments.

One object of my present invention is to furnish an improved knob attachment of the class specified comprehending means Whereby the knobs thereof may be quickly and peratively connected with the latch-actuating hub and locked as against movement longitudinally of their axes and as against rotative movement relatively to said hub, and also whereby said hubs may be relatively adjusted longitudinally of their axes of rotation to facilitate the application of the knob attachment to doors of different thicknesses, and whereby said knobs may be quickly disconnected from the latch-actuating hub bymovements of said knobs laterally of said axes.

.comprising two substantially independent and interchangeable coupling devices normally connected together and to the latchactuating hub of the door, and each coupling device embodying two laterally separable normally-interlocked members, one member of which is adj ustably secured to the knob.

Another object of my present invention is to furnish a knob attachment having a duplex k nnb-connector of a construction and organization adaptable for practical use with axially-recessed door-knobs of any ordinary construction, and which may be applied to said knob without requiring any changes to be in ade therein.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, Figure l is a side view, partly in section, ot' a knob attachment embodying my present invention, said iigure showing in section a portion of a door and door-lock with the knob attachment applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the knob attachment, taken in dotted line ct a, Fig. l, certainparts being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of a portion of the knob attachment and doorlock, taken in dotted line b b, Fig. 2. Fig. 4; is a view similar to Fig. l of a portion ot' the knob attachment and door-lock, said iigure illustrating the manner in which the two coupling members of the coupling device for one door-knob may be disengaged from one another. Fig. 5 is a plan view ol a portion of the outer coupling member of one of the coupling devices of the duplex connector. Fig. 6 is a plan view of one of the inner coupling members of said duplex connector. Fig. 7 is a side view of one of the outer coupling members of the duplex connectorJ drawn in projection with Fig. 5. Fig. S is a side view of one of the inner coupling members, drawn in projection with Fig. (i. Fig. 9 is a crosssectional View of one of the outer coupling members, taken in dotted line c c, Fig. 7, and looking toward the right hand in said gure. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the knob attachment, taken in dotted line d d, Fig. 3, and looking toward the right hand in said figure. Fig ll is an end view of the latch-actuating hub; and Fig. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of said hub, taken in dotted line e e, Fig. Il.

Similar characters represent like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention herein shown and described the knob attachment comprises two knobs (designated by K and L, respectively) having axiallyrecessed stems for the reception of the spindles of the coupling members of a connector; a duplex connector (designated in a general way by C) operatively and adjustably connecting the two knobs and comprising two interchangeable coupling devices (designated by C' and G2, respectively) and each of which has two coupling members F and F', which arc normally interlocked against relative longitudinal and rotative movement and are relatively separable laterally of the plane of their axes of rotation, and a bearing G, circumfer- IOO entiall y engaging the two coupling members of each coupling device and normally locking said members against movement laterally of each other.

By the terms laterally separable, laterally shiftable, and laterally movable, as may be hereinafter employed to define the relative engaging' and disengaging movements of the two muembers of one or both of the coupling devices of the duplex hub-connector, are meant such movements of said members as have their planes crosswise of the longitudinal axis of said members, and for the purpose of preventing a possible misunderstanding as to what is meant by longitudinal axis or axes as applied to said members it is desired to state that the longitudinal axis is the axis of rotative working movement of said members, which axis is represented by line .r Figs. 5 and 6 ofthe drawings.

In Figs. l, 2, 3, and 4, B represents a portion of an ordinary door having therein a lock-case B', furnished with the usual cam or hub D for actuating the mechanism of the lock, said hub having the usual cross-sectionally-angular central opening d to receive the cross-sectionally-angular parts of the inner coupling members of the two coupling devices C and C2.

The knobs K and L, which may be of any usual or suitable construction, are shown having stems 2 and 3, each stem having a crosssectionally-angular central opening or recess for the reception of the cross-sectionally-angular part of the outer coupling member of the coupling devices C and C2, connected therewith.

Inasmuch as the two coupling devices of the duplex knob-connector C are shown of substantially duplicate construction and organization, certain duplicate details of saidl devices are, for convenience, designated in the drawings by similar characters, and a specific description of one of said coupling devices may, in so 'far as the construction thereof is concerned, apply to both coupling devices.

Each of the coupling devices C and C2, in the preferred form thereof herein shown and described, consists of two normally-interlocked rigid coupling members F and F', respectively, one of which is normally fixed, as hereinafter more fully described, to the latchactuating hub D and will for convenience be hereinafter termed the inner7 coupling member or hub-engaging member, and the other of which members is ad justably secured io the door-knob and will be hereinafter termed the outer coupling member or knob-engaging member.

For the purpose of providing an interlockin ginstrumentality between the two coupling members F and F of each coupling device, which is adapted for holding said members against relative rotative movement and against relative movement longitudinally of their axes, said members are shown having at their adjacent or interlocking ends locking portions or faces, as will be hereinafter more fully described, some of which are located in planes parallel to the plane of the axis of rotation of said members, and others of which are 4located in planes at right angles to said axis, whereby the interlocking of the two coupling members may be secured in crosswise directions, and also securing a strong close connection between said coupling members that will positively hold said members against accidental displacement during the f working of the device.

Each inner coupling member F, in the form thereof herein shown, consists of a somewhat diseous main body portion 4, having a diametrically-reduced cross-sectionally-reetangular central projection 5 on one end thereof, and having the opposite end bifurcated and furnished with two outwardly-projecting L- shaped locking arms or prongs 6 and 6', preferably formed integral therewith and located one at each side of the longitudinal axis of said coupling members and having plane parallel bearing-faces 7 and 7 at the inner adjacent sides thereof.

The coupling member F, with the lockingarms G and 6' thereon, may be cast to the form above described and as shown in the drawings, or the outer end of said member may be cross-sectionally cylindrical and the L-shaped locking-arms may be formed thereon by bifurcating this end of said memberthat is, by forming a groove S in this end of said member intersecting the longitudinal axis thereof, and then forming a relatively shallow groove 9 in the periphery of said member crosswise of and communicating with the first-mentioned groove 8 and at some distance from this end face of said member, the inner wall Vof said groove 9 being made flush with the inner end wall of the groove S, as will be readily understood by reference to Figs. 6, S, and 10 of the drawings.

In practice the groove 9 will preferably be of a depth equal to about one-half the diameter of the main body portion 4 of the member F, so that the inner bearing-faces l0, formed by said groove, will lie in a plane coincident with the plane of the longitudinal axis of said member, and the transverselyextended portions of the L-shaped lockingarms will termin ate slightly remote from the periphery of the member F to facilitate the interlocking connection of the inner and outer coupling members F and F of each coupling device.

By constructing the inner coupling member F as shown and described it will be seen that two bearing-faces 13 and 13 are formed whose planes are transverse and preferably at right angles to the plane of the longitudinal axis of said member, which bearing;faces are, as hereinafter more fully described, adapted for engaging one part of a lockingflange upon the outer member F for holding lCO said member against movement in the plane of its longitudinal axis when the two members are assembled, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The two inner coupling members F and F are axially recessed, as shown at 12, to receive a screw 12', which secures said inner members together and to the hub D of the door-lock, one of said members bein g tapped to receive the screw-threaded end of said screw. Then said inner members are secured in place relatively to the hub D, the short stem or angular projection 5 oi said members fit the angular recess in said hub, as shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3 of the drawings.

Each outer coupling member F', in the preferred'form thereof herein shown, consists ofthe cross-sectionally-rectangular stem 14, adapted to enter and t the usual central opening in the stem of the knob applied thereto, and a segmental circumferential angel at the extreme end of said stem 1l. This circumferential iiange, in the form thereof herein shown, is T-shaped in end elevation and constitutes the locking-liange for coacting with the locking-arms 6 and 6' on the inner coupling member F, said iiange having bearing-faces 16 and 16 in the plane of the longitudinal axis of said member and adapted to t between the bearing-faces 7 and 7 of the inner member when the two members F and F' are interlocked together, and also has bearing-faces 17 and 17 in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of said member and adapted to fit between and coact with the bearing-faces 13 and 13' of the inner coupling member F when said two members F and F' are assembled. These two sets of transversely-disposed bearingfaces and 7 and 16 and 16 coact to prevent relative rotative movement of the two members F and F' when said members are interlocked, and the bearing-faces 13 and 13' and 17 and 17'of the two members F and F', respectively, coact to prevent a movement of the two members longitudinally of their axes when said members are interlocked together.

lt will further be seen that when the two members F and F are in interlocked engagement the lower faces 18 of that part of the locking-flange 15 of the outer member F' which lies between the bearing-faces 13 and 13 of the inner member F has a firm bearing upon the bearing-faces 10 of said inner member F, which bearing-faces 10, together with the bearin g-faces 13 and 13', support and hold the member F in axial alinement .with the member and relieve the elongated bearing G, which circumferentially surrounds the two members F and F' at their'junction, from undue strain, as in all cases the two members will be so assembled that the bearing 1S on the flange 15 of the member F will bear down upon the bearing-face 10 of the member F.

The stem 14 ot' each cuter member F and yF' is shown having Va series of screw-holes 20 formed therethrough, which are tappedto receive the threaded end of a screw 21, which extends through the kn ob-stem, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, and ad justably secures said member F to the doorknob.

By the construction and organization of coupling members herein described and shown in the drawings it will be seen that the two coupling members F and F when iiiterlocked are capable ot' movement rela tively to each other in but one direction-a direction laterally of the longitudinal axes of said members.

As a means for holding said members against movement laterally of each other when interlocked together an elongated tubular bearing G is provided, which circumferentially engages both members F and F' and covers the joint between said members, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2 of the drawings. This bearing is shown formed integrally with the escutcheon-plate G', which is fixed to the door and extends some distance beyond the opposite side faces of said plate, as shown at 22 and 22. The escutcheon-plate may, in a general way, be of any suitable configuration.

The perimeters of the interlocking ends lof the two coupling members F and F are intended to lie in the same longitudinal plane flush with each other when said two members are interlocked, so that the two members, when interlocked together, form at their j unction a cross-sectionally-circular symmetrical journal adapted to lit the bearing G.

The bearing G will, in practice, be of substantially the same internal diameter as the external diameter of, and will be iitted to slide freely upon, the knob-stem, as will be seen by reference to Figs. 1, 2, and et of the drawings, said knob-stem being of sufficient length to permit the bearing G to be slid outwardly thereon a sufficient distance to disengage the inner coupling member F. Y

In assembling the knob attachment in operative relation with the door-lock the two inner coupling members F F are iirst'applied to the latch-actuating hub, one at either side thereof, with their short stems seated in the central recess of said hub, and are rigidly fixed together in this position by means of the screw 12', after which each outer coupling member F, together with the knob carried thereby, will be placed in the position-relatively to the inner coupling member-illustrated in Fig. it, and then moved downward in a direction laterally of the longitudinal axis of the inner member, which brings the lower part of the locking-ange l5 of the outer member F between the bearing-faces 13 and 13 of the inner member and into locked engagement with said member, after which thebearing G, which' has been carried upon the knobstem during this operation, will be shifted inwardly to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so as to cover the joint between the two IOC) IIO

members F and F, and will then be secured by means of suit-able screws (not shown) to the face of the door. A reversal of this operation, it will be obvious, will effect the disassembling of the parts of the knob attachment.

It will be understood that the door B will have an opening 25 communicating with the loek-mortise, and of suflicient diameter to permit the requisite lateral movement of the outer member F' relative to the inner member F. (See Figs. l and 2 of the drawings.)

By providing the coupling member F' with f an elongated crossseetionally-rectangular stem of standard knob-spindle size the coupling device-of which said member constitutes a part-may be readily applied to any ordinary door-knob without any change being made therein, and by providing an adjustable connection between the said coupling device and door-knob the knob attachment may be readily adjusted and applied to doors of different thicknesses.

Having thus described my invention, I claiml. A knob attachment comprehending a knob and two longitudinally-interlocked, laterally-separable coupling members, one of which is adjnstably secured to said knob and means for normally holding said members against relative lateral movement.

2. A knob attachment comprehending a knob-stem; two normally-interlocked, laterally-separable coupling` members, one of which is adjustably secured to the knob-stem; and a bearing circumferentially engaging said two coupling members, and normally holding said members against relative lateral movement.

In a knob attachment, the combination with two knobs, of a duplex knob-connector consisting of two substantially duplicate coupling devices, and each of which devices\ consists of two normally-interlocked, laterally separable coupling members, one of which members of each coupling device is adj ustably secured to a knob.

4.-. In a knob attachment, a coupling device consisting of an inner and outer coupling member, the inner member of which has, at one end thereof, a cross-sectionally-angular stem to fit a similar recess in a latch-actuating hub, and also has, at the opposite end thereof, two outwardly-projecting L-shaped locking-arms, one located at each side of the longitudinal axis of said member, and the outer member of which has, at one end thereof, an angular stem adapted for engaging a hub, and has, at the opposite end thereof, a segmentally-circular, circumferential locking-flange adapted for engaging between and interlocking with the L-shaped locking-arm upon the inner member.

5. In a knob attachment, an axially-recessed coupling member bifurcated at one end, and having a relatively shallow transverse slot traversing said bifurcation at some distance from the extreme end of said member, combined with another coupling member having a T-shaped locking-flange at the extreme end thereof, which projects in two directions beyond the periphery of the main body of said member, and which is adapted, one portion thereof for fitting between the end portions of the first-mentioned member, and the other portion of which is adapted for fitting the traverse groove in said first-mentioned member.

6. In a knob attachment, a coupling member having a groove in one end thereof intersecting the axis and extending from side to side of said member, and also having a relatively shallow groove in the periphery thereof at right angles to and communicating with said end groove and likewise extending from side to side of said member; combined with .another coupling member having a transversely-extending T- shaped end adapted to interlock with the grooved member.

7. The combination with a latch-actuating hub having a cross-sectionally-angular eentral opening, of a knob attachment comprising two substantially independent coupling devices located, one at each side of said hub, and havin g cross-sectionally-angular portions litting the opening in said hub, and each coupling device consisting of two laterallyseparable coupling members, each member having a set of bearing-faces located in a plane longitudinally of the axis of said member, and also having a set of bearing-faces located in a plane transversely of the plane of the axis of said member, and the sets of one member normally interlocking with the corresponding sets of the other member; an elongated bearing in circumferential engagement with, and holding the two members of, each coupling device against relative lateral movement; and knobs carried at the outer end of each coupling device.

8. In aknob attachment, anvinner coupling member having two sets of plane lockingfaces extending transversely of each other; combined with an outer coupling member having two sets of plane locking-faces also eX- tending transversely of each other and in normal locked engagement with the inner coupling member, and adapted to be released from locked engagement by a movement of one member laterally of the other member; and a sleeve-bearing of the same internal diameter from end to end thereof and circumferentially engaging each of said interlocked members and adapted for movement longitudinally of said members.

9. The combination with a latch-actuating hub having a cross-sectionally-angular central opening, of two axially-recessed, inner coupling members having angular projections seated, one in each end of the opening of said hub; a screw passing through one of said members and engaging the other member to lock said members together and to said hub, and each coupling member having a 1o sleeve-like bearing elxiftablysnpported upon the stem of each hub and adapted for circumferentially engaging the two interlocked ends of the adjacent coupling members and for normally holding said members against relative lateral movement.

CHARLES F. DOEBLER.

lVitnesses:

FRED. J. DoLE, HENRY BIsSELL. 

